Sigh, I loved Roman Rossi. Roman had been in a loveless marriage, he is now divorced and raising his daughter. He runs into Abby Sullivan at a local diner, when she tries to steal his cherry pie. They end up sharing the pie and talk for hours. They both feel the connection and are excited for the potential for something more. Of course, Abby is a new firefighter and when she shows up for her first day, her new boss is Diner Guy, Roman. This is a fun forbidden romance with great potential for future romances. While this is the start of a new series, it is connected to other Kate Meader series. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

🧯 ARC REVIEW 🧯 Review: 3.75/5 ⭐️ Steam: 2/5 🔥 #upinsmoke is the new spin-off firefighter series by @katemeader Roman is a now single dad after a messy divorce who needed a fresh start. Moving to Chicago with his sister is where he ended up. He’s an LT at Engine 6 and ready to work. After some ragging from coworkers and his sister, he agrees to be set up on a blind date, who never shows. So where else other than a diner for pie would he end up? Talking to the woman next to him showed him what he’s missing. Now he needs to see if he’s got enough game to keep her around. Until the next shift at work blows his plan up welcoming in the new rookie to the firehouse. Abby knows what she wants. That’s to be a great firefighter like her late mother. It’s hard for her to meet anyone with her job and personality. She thought fate stepped in and she met that guy, everything she wanted when she stepped into that diner. Hoping to hear from him soon, but anxious to start her new job at Engine 6 firehouse she holds off. Then seeing her new superior was a shock to say the least. Can she put her feelings aside or is their chemistry too much to avoid? Can she separate sex and emotions to have the best of both worlds? Or is it all going to burn to the ground? I liked this book. It was cute, had some laughs and steam but i really loved the side characters too. Roman was in a tough position of finally meeting someone but turns out she’s so perfect because of how alike yet opposite they are. Abby likes to push buttons, it’s in her DNA like her mother. I’m glad that she stopped being so stubborn and finally stood for hat she wanted. Can’t wait for more in the series!